Corrugated fastener driving machine



y 1 937. A. CRANSTON 2,079,154

CORRUGATED FASTENER- DRIVING MACHINE F iled March 13, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 [NVENTOR /04 BY 65/?7 5 /m/vsra/v May 4, 1937.

A. E. CRANSTON I CORRUGATED FASTENER DRIVING MACHINE Filed March 13, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR 2? flLBfETE. CPHND To 6 Q h fi omwsf A. E. CRANSTON CORRUGATED FASTENER DRIVING MACHINE May 4, 1937.

4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 15, 1335 W T I 7 4, w 9

7 5 a 7 v H 5 w 0 W a i/ 7 1 5 W0 INVENTOR 5 (EMA/Siam ATTORNEY y 1937. A. E. CRANSTON 2,079,154 CORRUGATED FASTENER DRIVING MACHINE Filed March 13, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENIOR 41.559 7' A1, (PK/N5 mm 9 M L 1;] Mm

ATTORNEY Patented May 4, 1937 CORRUGATED FASTENER DRIVING- MACHINE Albert Cranston, Wenatchee, Wash. Application March 13, 1935, Serial No.10;835'

5 Claims.

This invention relates to" fastener applying machines and ithas reference more particularly to machines for joining together board pieces by means of fasteners of a kind known in trade as 5 corrugated.fasteners it being the principal object of this invention to provide a machine whereby the fasteners are cut to a desired length from a supply strip and are driven into the matched edges of the parts to be joined in an accurate, and permanent manner and with rapidity.

More specifically stated, the objects of the present invention residein the provision of a fastener driving machine of the kind above stated, wherein reciprocating feed devices operate to intermittently advance a-supply strip of corrugated material into the machine and wherein a reciprocating block, mounting a cutter, operates in timing with the action of the feed devices to cut ofi definite lengths of the strip to form the fasteners and to 20 position these fasteners in the path of travel of a reciprocating hammer whereby they maybe driven into the adjacent or matched edges of board pieces, properly located on a supporting table, thereby to permanently and securely join them.

It is also an object of the invention to provide novel means for feeding the corrugated strip of fastener material and a guide means for the strip which prevents its buckling under the forwarding action of the feed devices.

Another object of the invention resides in the use of magnetic means for supporting the fasteners during their transfer from the cut off position to the driving position. 7 Still another object resides in the provision of 35 means which operates automatically in timing with the operation of the hammer, to clamp the board pieces against movement during the fastener driving operation.

In accomplishing these and other objects of 40 the invention, I have provided the improved details of construction the preferred forms of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. 1 is a-perspective view of a fastener form- 45 ing and driving machine embodied by the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a detail of the driving clutch mechanism of the machine in release position.

Fig. 3 is a similar view with the clutch mecha- 50 nism in position set for driving.

Fig. 4 is a detail, in plan view, of the co -acting fastener cutters. Fig. 5 is an enlarged side view of the fastener driving head.

Fig. Gisa horizontalsection, taken on line 6-6 in 5, particularly illustrating the strip guides, the strip feed mechanism: and the reciprocating I respectively; both the block and hammer being shown in retracted positions- I Fig. I3is-a view of the same parts with the block advanced and the hammer advanced to the limit of its driving position.

Fig. 14" is a development of the strip feeding cam.

Fig; 15 a development of the cam which actuates thestrip cut off block.

Fig. 16' is a development of the hammer actuating cam.-

- Fig. 17 shows in sideelevation the table adjusting means.

Fig. 18 is aside elevation of the board clamp mechanism.

Fig. 19 is'a horizontal section' on the line l9-l9 in Fig. 5 andFigrl3.

Referring more in detail tothe drawings Inits presentpreferred form of construction the machine comprises a tubular, supporting standaid, or post I, equipped at its lower end with a plurality of radially directed supporting legs, or bracketsl; whereby the standard will be retained solidly in upright position. Fixed on the upper end of the stand'ardf'is a horizontal, tubular bearing portion 3 axially containing the main drive shaft 4' whichis revolubly supported in suitable bearings, as designated at 5-5. Keyed on the shaft 4 at one end is-a camwheel 6 and adjacent thereto, but freely revoluble on the shaft, is asupported along one longitudinal edge to give it added rigidity by a web ll depending from the tubular portion 3, and it is further braced at its outer end through the mediacy of a flat connecting plate l2 that is fixed at its lower end to the outer end of the plate I by bolts l3, as seen in Fig. 5, and at its upper end is secured to the outer end of the bearing portion 3.

At the rearward side of the standard I is a suitable support M by which a roll of corrugated metal strip, as designated at IS in Fig. 1, may be placed for supplying the machine. The strip I5 is drawn off from the roll and is threaded into the machine as is best shown in Figs. '5 and 6; the strip being disposed vertically with its blunt edge at the top and its sharpened edge pointed downwardly. In threading the strip into the machine it is passed closely about the standard I, as shown in Fig. 6, then extended between a fiat upright guide plate I6 which extends lengthwise of 'plate'lO, and a stiff wire H. The plate I6 and wire together form a guide channel between them for the strip of material and they prevent the strip buckling underhthe feeding action.

By reference to Fig. 6, it will be observed that the guide plate I6 is backed by a rib or flange 18 that extends lengthwise of the plate It] and that its outer end terminates in exact alinement with the surface of a block 20 that is fixed solidly to plate II]. It Will also be observed that the wire I! is spaced from the plate l6 the thickness of the corrugated strip and engages the strip lengthwise thereof and about mid-way of its top and lower edge, as shown in Figs. 6a and 7. One end of the wire is supported in a block 22 that is fixed to plate If] in spaced relation from block 20 to provide a passage for the corrugated strip, and the other end is seated in an encircling groove 23' of a wheel 23 that is mounted on the plate ll] near the standard I.

When'the corrugated strip is threaded into the machine up to the cut-off position, as seen in Fig. 6, it is then disposed between the spaced, adjacent surfaces of the blocks and 22, and it is held at this end against any possible backward movement by means of two pawls 2424 which are lo'catedwithin a recess 22 of the block 22 with their outer ends urged yieldingly into holding contact with the corrugationsof the strip. Each pawl is keyed on a vertical supporting pin 25 revolulole in the block, as seen in Fig. 7, and a coiled spring 26 is fastened at one end to the block and at its other end to an arm 21. on the pin and operates to urge the pawl into holding contact with the strip, but yields to allow the pawl to ride over the corrugations on advancement of the strip.

Reciprocally mounted on the plate I0 is a strip feeding block 30. This is guided in its reciprocal movement by a shaft 3| that has one end fixed in the block and its other end reciprocally operable in a bore 32 in the block 22. e

The block 38 reciprocates parallel with the direction of the strip l5, and it has a recess a at one side in which a pair of feed pawls 35-35 are contained to engage the corrugations of the strip to effect its advancement with each forward, reciprocal action of the block 30. The pawls, in this instance, are mounted on supporting pivot pins 36 in the same manner as are the pawls 24 and are likewise yieldingly urged into feeding contact with the strip corrugations.

The block 30 reciprocates once with each revolution on the shaft 4 and its movement for feeding the strip into the machine is effected by the cam wheel 6 through the mediacy of a rocker lever 38 and a connecting link 39.

By reference to Fig. 5, it will be observed that the lever 38 is pivotally supported at a point between its ends on a pivot 40 secured in a bracket 40' fixed to the upper end portion of standard I. At the upper end of the lever is a cam follower roller 4| in rolling contactwith the cam surface of wheel 6. At its lower end, the lever is connected pivotally to the link 39 by a pivot bolt 38a,

which it is connected operatively to the block 30. A coiled spring 43 is connected under tension to the lower end of the lever 38 and to a clip 44 on the block 22, as seen in Figs. 5 and 6. Thus, the action of the lever, under influence of the cam 6, is to shift the block 30 outwardly, preparatory to a feeding action of the strip, and the spring 43 then operates to feed the strip forwardly; it being understood that with the forwarding movement of the block by the action of the spring, the pawls 3535 engage the strip and advance it.

The action of lever 38, under influence of the cam 6 is best illustrated in Figs. 8 to 11 inclusive, and the development of the cam is shown in Fig. 14 from which it is understood that there is a rather quick, inward feeding of the strip as designated by the interval within the bracket f.

It is to be observed by reference to Fig. '7 that the swinging ends of the several pawls are bifurcated to receive the wire I 1 between their end portions. Also, the edges of the reciprocating block 30 are recessed to seat the wire therein, as seen in Fig. 6a.

Mounted upon the outer end portion of plate In is the strip cutoff block 48. This block is reciprocally contained between guides 45 and 46 for movement in a direction transverse to the direction of feeding of the strip I5, and it is provided with an elongated recess 49 opening to one side edge to register with the strip guiding channel between blocks 20 and 22 when the strip cutoff block is retracted to one extreme of its movement, thereby providing that the end of the strip 15 may be advanced into the recess, as it is shown in Fig. 6. Set within and secured to the block 48 adjacent one side of the recess and at the mouth thereof, is, a cutter block 50 having a shearing edge 5|. This cutter block is arranged to co-act with a similar, opposedly mounted cutter 52 set in the block 20 so that movement of the block 48 from the position of Fig. 6 to its other extreme will cause the cutters to shear 01f that part of the supply strip that is contained in the recess 49, thus to form a fastener of definite length. The reciprocalaction of ,-the cut-off block 48 is timed with the feeding of the strip so that it takes place immediately following the advancement of the strip end into the recess 49 under the action of cam 6. l

The means for controlling reciprocal action of the block 48 comprises acam 55 that is fixed to the outer end of shaft 4 and rotates therewith' laterally immediately followingthe feeding of the and the link has a laterally turned end 39a by strip into the recess 49, thus to sever a fastener from thestrip. The development of this cam, as seen inFig. 15, discloses a riseat fg which is the interval of shifting of the block, and it also shows a relatively long interval. of rest following the shifting; this being the interval during which the driving of the fastener takes'place and which requires that the block 48 remain stationary in view of the fact that the hammer, in driving, is extended into the slot 48, as will hereinafter be explained.

Return of the cut-off block 48 to retracted position, as in Figs. 6 and 12, is effected by a spring 62 that is coiled under tension about the supporting pivot 51 of lever 56, with one end attached in bracket 58 and its opposite end attached to the lever, as will be understood by referenceto Figs. 12 and 19.

Before describing the hammer and its operating means, it will be explained that board pieces, when they are to be fastened together, are located edge to edge upon a horizontal, supporting table 65 that is spaced below the plate Ill and which table is adjustably supported from the standard I to accommodate boards of different thickness, as later described. When the boards, a and b, are placed upon this table, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the matched edges to be joined are located directly beneath and transversely of the recess 49 of block 48 so that when a fastener is driven from the recess by the action of the hammer, substantially equal lengths thereof will be embedded in the two board pieces, as is the fastener I5a7, shown in Fig. 6. It is understood, of course, that the recess 49 extends clear through the block 48 and that the under side of the block is uncovered by the plate Ill.

The hammer employed for driving the fasteners comprises a vertically reciprocable bar Ill contained in a guide housing 'II that is fixed to the plate I2, as observed'in Figs. 1,12, 13 and 20. At its lower end, the bar III has a fastener driving plate I2 for passing through the recess 49 and for engaging the top edge of the fastener on downward travel of the hammer. At the upper end of the hammer is a roller 13 acted on by a driving cam I4 fixed to the outer end of and rotating with shaft 4. The cam "I4 is designed to drive the hammer downwardly from the position of Fig. 12, to that of Fig. 13 during that period of rest of the block 48 following its movement to its advanced position of Fig. 13. A development of the cam 14 is seen in Fig. 16 wherein the interval at d designates the driving period and the interval a the up stroke of the hammer.

It will be explained here that the several cam developments of Figs, 14, 15, and 16 are illustrated in their proper relationship from which it is evident that the driving and the lifting of the hammer takes place during the period of advancement of the block 48 and during retractive movement of the strip feed block 30. Retractive movement, or lifting, of the hammer after a driving operation is effected by a lift lever I8 which, as seen in Fig. 5, is pivoted on a stud I9 fixed in the web I I. One end of the lever 18 engages with the under side of a lug 89 on the lower end portion of the hammer bar III while the other end is urged downwardly by a coiled spring 8| which is mounted, under compression, in a housing 82 attached to the under side of the bearing portion 3. Thus, the spring BI operates to lift the hammer under control of movement of the cam As a feature of the present invention, an electro-magnet 85 is located in the block 48, as'seen in Fig. 6 and this operates by magnetic attraction to hold the severed fastenersJ'in'receSS 49 during the shifting of the block and until they are driven. .As illustrated inFigs. 5 and 6, circuit wires 86 and 81 lead to the magnet through a transformer 88.

' In the present machine, a manually actuated clutch is arranged to'provide for one cycle of operation, thento automatically stop the machine. This clutch mechanism is shown best in Figs. 1' to 5, inclusive. By reference to Figs. 2 and 3, it will be observed that there is a heavy stud 99 extending from near the hub of the belt wheel I toward the cam wheel 8, and there is a lever 92 pivotally supported by a stud 93extending from the inside of the cam wheel 6. This lever is adapted to swing between the extreme positions in which. it is shown, respectively, in

-Figs. 2 and 3. At its inner end the lever 92 car ries a stud 94 and there is a coiled spring 95 mounted by a support 96 fixed inthe cam wheel and this spring acts against the outer end of the lever 92 to yieldingly urge its inner end to a position at which the stud 99 of the revolving belt wheel will come into driving abutment with the stud 94, as seen in Fig. 3. Fixed uprighton' the housing 3 is a bracket 98 and supportedpivotally thereon by a bolt 99 is cam lever I89 which lies in the plane of travel of the lever 92. At its outer end the lever I99 is connected by a downwardly extended link IIlI with a lever arm I82 fixed on a horizontal shaft I03 to which a foot pedal I04 also is fixed. Theshaft I93 is revoluble in a support I05 attached to the lower end of standard I. Also, a coiled spring I95 is attached at its opposite ends, under tension, to the link IM and to the standard I, as seen in Fig. 17, and this yieldingly holds the clutch trip lever I in clutch release position, as shown in Fig. 2, and at which position its swinging end is in the path of travel of the outer end of lever 92. Therefore, normally the lever 92 is held by lever I99 in release position, as shown in Fig. 2, and there is no driving contact between the studs 90 and 94. However, when the foot pedal is momentarily depressed, and the lever I00 lifted clear of lever 92, the spring 95 then effects a movement of lever 92 whereby a driving connection between the belt wheel and cam wheel I is made, and rotation of shaft 4 is the result. This rotation of shaft 4 will continue as long as the clutch release lever I00 is held in the clear of lever 92.

Adjustment of the base or table 85 relative to the driving head to accommodate boards of different thickness, is made by means best shown in Fig. 17 wherein it is shown that table 65 is supported from a split sleeve II2 slidable lengthwise on standard I. A rack H2 is fixed lengthwise of the standard and a pinion gear I I4, meshing with the rack is keyed on a crank shaft II5 extended between spaced flanges IIIi-II9 of the sleeve. By rotation of the crank, the pinion gear will be caused to travel up or down the rack to raise or lower the table accordingly. Any adjustment made may be retained by clamping the pinion against turning between the plates IIfi-I I8 through the mediacy of bolts IIB extended between the plates.

In order that the boards being joined may be held against movement during a driving operation, a clamp lever arm I20 is pivotally mounted on the end of the bolt I9 opposite the lever I8. The lever I28 has one end extended to a position overlying the adjacent edges of boards to be joined, as seen in Fig. 18, and it has its opposite end connected with a coiled spring I2l which is attached to the frame and which operates to yieldingly urge the outer end of the lever into clamping contact with the boards. A link I25 connects lever I20 with lever 18 so that as the lever 18 is actuated downwardly, the clamp lever is simultaneously actuated to clamping position, and when the hammer is raised, the clamp is likewise raised.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new therein and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a corrugated fastener driver, a driver member, advancing means for a strip of fastener material, a transfer block having a slot therethrough, and movable from a position at which said slot will receive the end portion of said strip material therein to a position in registration with the driver for driving the fastener, a shear block coacting with the transfer block for severing said end portion from the strip and a magnetic element associated with the block for magnetically retaining the fastener in the slot prior to drivmg.

2. In a corrugated fastener driver, the combination with a reciprocating hammer, and means for advancing a strip of fastener material, of a reciprocally movable cut-off block having a slot for reception of an end portion of the strip of fastener material as it is advanced, a cut-off member, against which the advanced end portion of the strip in said slot is sheared off incident to movement of the block to a position for placing the detached piece under the hammer, and a magnetic element associated with the block for magnetically supporting the fastener in the seat prior to its being driven.

3. In a corrugated fastener driving machine, the combination with a fastener driver, a cut-off member timed therewith, and means for supporting a supply strip of corrugated fastener material, of a feed mechanism for the strip, comprising a reciprocally moving block, pawls mounted by the block to engage the strip to advance it with advance movements of the block, yieldable means engaging the strip to preclude retraction thereof, a cam revolving in timing with the actions of the cut-off member, a lever positively actuated by the cam to retract the first mentioned block after advancement of the strip; and a spring, under tension, for moving the block to advance the strip under control of the cam.

4. In a corrugated fastener driving machine, a rotatably driven shaft, a hammer reciprocally actuated in timing with rotations of the shaft, a cut-off block reciprocally actuated in timing with rotations of the shaft, and means for feeding a strip of fastener material to the cut-off block; said means comprising a guideway for the strip, a stationary block adjacent thereto, pawls on said block engaging the strip to prevent retraction thereof, another block adjacent the guideway to reciprocate parallel thereto, pawls in said block for engaging and advancing the strip, a cam on said driven shaft, a pivotally mounted lever engaging the cam and connected with the reciprocating block to retract it after advancement of the strip, and a spring attached under tension to the block to advance the strip under control of the cam.

5. In a corrugated fastener driving machine,

in combination, a cut-off member, and a feed mechanism for advancing a strip of corrugated material, intermittently to the cut-off member; said feed mechanism including a guideway in which the strip is enclosed, formed by stationary 

